Yellow Duck Preparatory School

This school is amazing! Owners Katrina and Chris, along with directors Terri, Joey, Yvette, and Maureen, are incredibly hands-on and attentive to every detail regarding their school family's needs. They are always available to answer any questions or address concerns, ensuring a supportive and welcoming environment for both parents and students. Moreover, the teachers are highly trained and provide a robust curriculum that goes beyond a traditional Pre-K and kindergarten program. Kindergarten students are exceptionally well-prepared for first grade, gaining skills in reading, writing, math, and even participating in STEM lessons. Additionally, the safety of the children is held in the highest regard, giving parents peace of mind that their little ones are in a secure and nurturing environment.

Yellow Duck Prep will forever hold a special place in my heart. When we moved to Manalapan, it was the first place I visited that assured me we had made the right decision for our family. My two children made their best friends there, and I found the kind of friendships that new moms dream of. Their kindergarten curriculum prepared my son to take on first grade with confidence, even though he was at the very end of the cutoff as a September baby. Over the past seven years, I celebrated every Mother’s Day, Halloween, birthday, and milestone with them. The campus is beautiful, and playing on the various playgrounds after school was the perfect way to end our day. Robin, Katrina, and Yvette go above and beyond to ensure every family feels cared for. Thanks to all the amazing teachers at Yellow Duck, my kids received a wonderful start to their education.

I didn’t end up moving forward to send my child to this school—and that decision was made after just one short meeting with the director. Who didn’t think it was even worth calling me back to finish our meeting because she cut it short. As soon as my tired toddler began running around the office (as toddlers naturally do), her entire demeanor shifted. It became clear that this school doesn’t know how to handle—or simply doesn’t want to handle—normal, developing children who are curious, energetic, and full of personality. Instead of seeing a typical toddler, she seemed quick to judge and categorize him as “difficult”, which were her exact words as we were parting ways. If your child is spirited, curious, or just being a kid, look elsewhere. This is not an environment that celebrates or supports natural child development.